Yemeni Parties, Rebels Sign Deal to End Fighting, Form Government

SANAA — Yemen's Shi'ite Muslim rebels on Sunday signed an agreement with other political parties to form a more inclusive government and end days of fighting on the streets of the capital.

Prime Minister Mohammed Basindwa had earlier submitted his resignation to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to pave the way for the deal, as rebel Houthi forces advanced on government buildings in the capital Sanaa to little resistance from the troops and security forces guarding them.

More than 100 people have been killed in four days of clashes between the northern Houthis, who have been fighting the Sanaa government on and off for a decade, and troops loyal to an army general whom they have long accused of following a militant Islamist school of thought that brands Shi'ites as heretics. Hadi presided over the signing ceremony at the presidential palace in which representatives of the main political parties, including a wing of the southern separatist Herak group, the Houthis and the Islamist Islah party signed the accord.

The Yemeni government press office said the agreement called for an immediate ceasefire and an end to all violence.